Jazz Catch Fire, Go On Big Run To End First Half Against Pacers
Dec 2, 2022, 8:31 PM | Updated: 8:33 pm
Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Utah Jazz celebrates with Jordan Clarkson #00 during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Arena on November 30, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz went on a massive run and caught fire on offense to end the first half against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at home.
With 4:12 minutes remaining in the first half, the Pacers tied the Jazz at 54. Then the Jazz went on a 21-5 run to take a 75-59 lead at the break.
The run started with a dunk by Jarred Vanderbilt, followed by a three-pointer by Lauri Markkanen, a dunk and layup by Jordan Clarkson, along with a dunk and shot by Vanderbilt. The run was at 13-0. Clarkson made a pair of free throws and a layup to extend the run to 17-0.
Indiana stopped the run with a layup by Tyrese Haliburton before Collin Sexton hit two free throws. T.J. McConnell countered with two points and a free throw. Sexton closed out the first half with two free throws.
Markkanen led the Jazz in the first half with 16 points and eight rebounds. Malik Beasley and Clarkson each dropped 11 points. Sexton and Kelly Olynyk both added 10 points.
✨ we can rule the galaxy as father & 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬son ✨ pic.twitter.com/pdODcnTMI9
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 3, 2022
Jazz Shorthanded Against Pacers Without Conley
It’s been nearly two weeks since Mike Conley last suited up for the Jazz in their 118-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The veteran guard hyperextended his knee against the Trail Blazers early in the third quarter and hasn’t seen the floor since.
The Jazz are 1-5 in Conley’s absence but snapped their winless streak behind the play of Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton against the Clippers.
Clarkson played 22 of the 24 available second-half minutes against the Clippers while Sexton was on the floor for 20 minutes in the games closing quarters.
The two players combined for 54 points on an efficient 18-31 shooting, and 6-11 from the three-point line.
Coach Will Hardy also made a change in the second unit sitting Talen Horton-Tucker for the entirety of the game and giving the backup point guard minutes to Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Pacers In Midst Of Long Road Trip
The Pacers will be playing their fourth game in a seven-game Western Conference road trip when they face the Jazz.
Indiana is 1-2 to start the trip with losses to the Clippers and the Sacramento Kings, separated by a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pacers have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season at 12-9, fueled by the breakout play of guard Tyrese Haliburton and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Bennedict Mathurin.
Haliburton is averaging an All-Star-worthy 19.3 points, 11.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Pacers while Haliburton is adding 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over his first 21 games in the NBA.
Haliburton is listed as questionable for the Pacers with a groin injury.
The Pacers will conclude their road trip with stops in Portland, Golden State, and Minnesota.
The Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers game is televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. The game will also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.
